2003 Dodge Neon Code P0551 and Rough Idle

I have a 2003 Dodge Neon with 140xxx miles on it. It has been idling rough lately and the mil came on the other day when I was driving about 35 mph. I went to autozone and had them pull the code. It came back as P0551: Power Steering Pressure Sensor Circuit range/performance. Now I read on some forums that the pcm will raise the idle speed based on readings from the power steering pressure sensor to prevent the engine from stalling or idling rough. So based on my understanding the power steering pressure switch has gone bad or a wire in that circuit has bad continuity. Is this correct? I just don't want to start throwing money around without knowing exactly what is wrong.

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I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 DODGE NEON. THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH. IF YOU DO IT YOURSELF IT WILL PROBABLY COST ABOUT $50 OR $60 INCLUDING THE HAYNES MANUAL TELLING YOU HOW TO DO IT. I BELIEVE THE SWITCH COST ME ABOUT $30 OR $35 FROM A DODGE DEALER. IT IS PRETTY SIMPLE. TAKE OFF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION GOING TO THE SWITCH AND THEN TAKE OUT THE SWITCH ITSELF WITH A PROPER SIZED WRENCH. THE SWITCH IS THREADED INTO A CONNECTION ATTACHED TO METAL HOSES THAT HAVE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THEM. HAVE THE NEW SWITCH READY TO PUT IN AFTER THE OLD ONE COMES OUT,FOR POWER STEERING FLUID WILL FLOW OUT OF THE CONNECTION. PUT THREAD TAPE ON THE THREADS OF THE NEW CONNECTION. THIS WIIL HELP TO SEAL THE SWITSH FROM LEAKS. TORQUE TO SPECS AND REINSTALL THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. CLEAR THE CODE AND SEE IF IT COMES BACK. MINE DID NOT. OH YES, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE SOME POWER STEERING FLUID TO TOP OFF ANY THAT LEAKS OUT DURING THIS PROCESS.
GOOD LUCK!

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Without trouble codes you are fishing in the dark. If the engine has a cylinder that is dead at idle from a fuel injector or ignition problem, it should have a code for a miss on that cylinder. A mechanical problem like a burned valve could cause the problem without setting a code. Have you checked compression on all 4 cylinders ? ?

Is your car a manual or automatic? If it is a manual, did you just change your clutch? I have a 2003 Dodge Neon and when I replaced the clutch the entire car shook; come to find out the clutch was not assembled right and wasn't balanced. I installed another clutch and it is fine now.

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 DODGE NEON. THE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE SENSOR SWITCH. IF YOU DO IT YOURSELF IT WILL PROBABLY COST ABOUT $50 OR $60 INCLUDING THE HAYNES MANUAL TELLING YOU HOW TO DO IT. I BELIEVE THE SWITCH COST ME ABOUT $30 OR $35 FROM A DODGE DEALER. IT IS PRETTY SIMPLE. TAKE OFF THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION GOING TO THE SWITCH AND THEN TAKE OUT THE SWITCH ITSELF WITH A PROPER SIZED WRENCH. THE SWITCH IS THREADED INTO A CONNECTION ATTACHED TO METAL HOSES THAT HAVE POWER STEERING FLUID IN THEM. HAVE THE NEW SWITCH READY TO PUT IN AFTER THE OLD ONE COMES OUT,FOR POWER STEERING FLUID WILL FLOW OUT OF THE CONNECTION. PUT THREAD TAPE ON THE THREADS OF THE NEW CONNECTION. THIS WIIL HELP TO SEAL THE SWITSH FROM LEAKS. TORQUE TO SPECS AND REINSTALL THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. CLEAR THE CODE AND SEE IF IT COMES BACK. MINE DID NOT. OH YES, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE SOME POWER STEERING FLUID TO TOP OFF ANY THAT LEAKS OUT DURING THIS PROCESS.
GOOD LUCK!

Okay, you either have to get some really expensive aftermarket motor and transmission mounts, or go with OEM from dealer. I did both. you MUST make sure you follow the Haynes or Chilton's manual on setting the engine and transmission at the right degree of rotation, then tighten all anchor bolts to 89 ft-lbs.... i did this and it reduced my vibration tremendously.

* Very poor fuel economy * A no start condition * Vehicle may start, but run very poorly, blowing black smoke, running very rough and misfiring * Illumination of MILEGR valve

Usually a fault in the control circuit, will leave no noticeable symptoms other than the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. However, if the EGR control solenoidis stuck open due to debris, etc. the code may be accompanied by misfire under acceleration, rough idle, or engine dying altogether.